Latest attempt to nail down Code of Conduct for County
councillors

Simcoe County's Governance Committee was expected this morning to
approve the final draft of the upper tier's first Council Code of
Conduct for adoption next month by councillors.

The 12 page policy "provides a standard and common basis for acceptable
conduct
and is intended to guide Members of County Council in performing their
role of representing the citizens of Simcoe County as a whole." It
addresses Accountability and Transparency, Confidentiality; Gifts and
Benefits: "no Member shall directly or indirectly solicit any gift or
accept/receive a fee, advance, cash, gift, or personal benefit which
may be tied or inferred to be tied directly or indirectly to their
position or the performance of his/her duties of office unless
permitted by the exceptions listed below."

One of the amendments from the first draft includes a provision
empowering the Warden to use "censure" as a disciplinary measure for
breaches of the code. It also now includes the Governance Committee to
"assist the Warden, as required" to examine breaches..." However,
according to the minutes from January 28, the Governance Committee
removed a section under the heading "Municipal Conflict of Interest
Act" which "reminded members to "be aware that some conflicts may be
perceived in nature" and would ̉need to be considered on an individual
basis..." The minutes state, "The Governance Committee suggested that
it might not be appropriate to subject Councillors to a standard higher
than that expected by law."

Another key amendment to the original draft now permits, "Occasional or
incidental personal use of County computers or similar devices and
communication systems is considered acceptable, subject to the
provisions of the Municipal Elections Act. Such use may be subject to
the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act."